Toxic and in vitro anti-acetylcholinesterase and anti-carboxylesterase effects of various plant extracts on Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

The significance of discovering new active substances that are environment friendly when compared to pesticides, agriculturally sustainable, plant-based, and in the status of GRAS (generally regarded as safe) has been increasing every day. For this purpose, leaves of Daphne odora L., Dieffenbachia amoena L., Eucalyptus camaldulensis L., Ficus carica L., Lantana camara L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Mentha pulegium L. and Nerium oleander L. were collected from Adana in 2018. Toxic and in vitro anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and anti-carboxylesterase (CE) activities of aqueous leaf extracts of these species on the important polyphagous pest, Aphis gossypii Glover, 1877 (Hemiptera: Aphididae), were determined after 24 and 72 h. The fastest and greatest toxic effect was obtained with 20% F. carica extract giving 75.6% mortality. This was followed by N. oleander with 71.6% and D. odora with 62.1% mortality. Aphis gossypii in vitro anti-AcHe and anti-CE activities were highest at 10% concentration of the plant extracts and inhibition levels were 51.8-82.5% with F. carica extract, 40.9-54.9% with D. odora extract and 40.2-82.5% with E. camaldulensis extract. In conclusion, D. odora, E. camaldulensis, F. carica and N. oleander extracts gave promising results for future studies on the discovery of potential xenobiotics against A. gossypii and for pest control